question

Affirmative action

answer

LBJ's executive order-designed to correct the effects of past discrimination; requirement by law that positive steps be taken to increase the number of minorities in business, schools, colleges, and labor

question

Agenda setting

answer

The process of forming the list of matters that policymakers intend to address

question

Amendment

answer

A revision/change to a bill, law, or constitution

question

Amicus curiae brief

answer

Friend of the court; interest groups may be invited to file legal briefs supporting/rejection arguments of the case

question

Anti-Federalists

answer

Opposed the adoption of the U.S. Constitution b/c it gave too much power to the national govt at the expense of the state govts and it lacked a bill of rights

question

Appellate jurisdiction

answer

On appeal from lower courts-Supreme Court is mostly an appellate court

question

Apportionment

answer

Distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state

question

Appropriations

answer

Money granted by Congress or to a state legislature for a specific purpose

question

Articles of Confederation

answer

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

question

At-large

answer

All the voters of a state/country elect their representative (senate elections are at large on the federal level)

question

Bicameral

answer

2 chambers; Congress has the Senate and the House of Representatives

question

Bill

answer

a proposal for a law

question

Bills of attainder

answer

Prohibits a person being found guilty of a crime w/o a trial

question

Bill of Rights

answer

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution-guarantees liberties to the people-written in 1789-ratified in 1791

question

Blanket primary

answer

Registered voters may vote for candidates from either party on the same primary ballot

question

Block grant

answer

Money given to states for general programs within a broad category

question

Brief

answer

Legal document submitted to the court setting forth the facts of a case and supporting a particular position

question

Brief orders

answer

The returning of a case to a lower court b/c a smiliar case was recently decided

question

Brown v. BOE of Topeka, KA

answer

Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson: ended legal segregation, said school regulation is unconstitutional

question

Bureaucracy

answer

A systematic way of organizing a complex adminstrative structure w/ responsibility for carrying out day-to-day tasks of the organization, departments, of the govt

question

Bureaucratic theory

answer

The hierarchical structure and standarized procedures of govt allow bureaucrats to hold the real power over public policy; proposed by Max Weber

question

Cabinet

answer

Govt depts headed by presidential appointees to help establish public policy a specific policy are of govt activity

question

Casework

answer

Assistance given to constituents by congressional members, answering questions/doing favors

question

Categorical grant

answer

Federal grants for specific purposes define by law

question

Caucus

answer

Locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political offices

question

Caucus (congressional)

answer

An association of congressional members who advocate a political ideology/regional/ethnic/economic interest

question

Certificate

answer

A lower court asks the Supreme Court abt a rule of law/procedure

question

Checks and balances

answer

Each branch of govt is subject to restraints by the other two branches

question

Civil liberties

answer

Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens

question

Civil rights

answer

Positive acts of govt designed to prevent discrimination equality before the law

question

Closed primary

answer

Only registered party members may vote in the primary (independents, greens, etc...not allowed)

question

Cloture rule

answer

Prevents filibustering (16 signatures) and ends debate in the Senate, by a 3/5s vote of the Senate

question

Coattail effect

answer

Weaker/lesser-known candidates from (bottom of the ticket) the president's party profit from the president's popularity-people vote straight ticket because they like the top of the ticket.

question

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

answer

Resolved differences btwn northern and southern states; Congress could not tax exports nor ban the slave trade for 20 yrs.

question

Comparable worth

answer

Women should be paid salaries equal to men for equivalent job responsibilities

question

Concurrent jurisdiction

answer

The authority to hear cases is shared by federal courts

question

Concurrent powers

answer

Powers shared by the federal and state govts (tax, to define crimes and punishments)

question

Concurring opinion

answer

Justice/justices who agree w/ the majority's opinion but not with the reason behind the decision

question

Conference committee

answer

A temporary committee to work out a compromise version of a bill that has passed the House of Representaives &Senate in diff. forms

question

Congressional districting

answer

State legislatures draw congressional districts for Congressional elections

question

Connecticut Compromise

answer

Legislative branch-2 houses-one based on population, one based on equal representation

question

Conservative

answer

A person whose pol. views favor more local, limited govt, less govt regulations, conformity to social norms &values; rough on criminals

question

Constituency service

answer

Casework, assistance to constituents by congressional members

question

Constituent

answer

people within a district or state-government official represents them.

question

Constitution

answer

The document setting forth the laws &principles of the govt; a plan of govt

question

Constitutional courts

answer

Federal courts created by Congress under Article III of the Constitution, including the district courts, courts of appeals, &specialized courts such as the U.S. Court of International Trade

question

Constitutional law

answer

Laws relating to the interpretation of the Constitution

question

Cooperative federalism

answer

Cooperation among federal, state, &local govts; "marble cake" federalism

question

Courts of appeals

answer

Federal courts that review decisions of federal district courts, regulatory commissions, &other fed. courts

question

Critical election

answer

Sharp changes in the existing patterns of party loyalty due to changing social and economic conditions

question

Dealigning election

answer

Party loyality becomes less important to voters, &they vote for the other party candidate/independent

question

Dealignment

answer

When a significant # of voters choose to no longer support a particular pol. party

question

Declaration of Independence

answer

Drafted in 1776 by T. Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain (3 parts-New theory of government, reasons for separation, formal declaration of war and independence)

question

Deficit

answer

Govt spending exceeds revenue

question

Delegated powers

answer

Powers specifically granted to the national govt by the Constitution

question

Democracy

answer

A system whereby the people rule either directly/by elected representation

question

Deviating election

answer

Minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, independents, voters

question

Devolution

answer

An effort to shirft responsibility of domestic programs to the states in order to decrease the size of the fed. govt; some states have attempted to shift responsibilities further to local govts

question

Direct democracy

answer

Citizens meet and make decisions abt public policy issues

question

Direct primary

answer

Election within the party to choose their favorite candidate for a particular office

question

Discretionary spending

answer

Spending set by the govt through appropriations bills, including operation expenses of govt employees (defense, environment, education, space exploration)

question

Discrimination

answer

Unfair treatment of a person based on race/group membership

question

Dissenting opinion

answer

Justice/justices who disagree with the majority opinion

question

District courts

answer

Lowest level of fed. courts, where fed. cases begin are held (bank robbery, environmental violations, tax evasion)

question

Divided govt

answer

One party controls the executive, other party controls on /both houses of Congress

question

Double jeopardy

answer

Being tried twice for the same offense (if you appealing, it is not double jeopardy because you are asking to be retried)

question

Dual federalism

answer

Fed. govts each ahve defined responsibilities w/n their own sphere of influence; "layer cake" federalism

question

Elastic clause

answer

The necessary clause/Art. I, Sec. 8, Clause 18/imlied powers clause- that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out its powers

question

Electoral college

answer

Number each state gets is based on the number of representatives and the number of senators that state has. Need 270 to win election

question

Electorate

answer

People qualified to vote

question

Elite theory

answer

A small group of people identified by wealth/ pol. power, who rule in their self-interest

question

Eminent domain

answer

Allows the govt to take property for public use but also requires the govt to provide just compensation for that property

question

Entitlement program

answer

Madatory payments made by the federal government to people meeting eligibility requirements, such as Social Security, vets, welfare, medicare

question

Environmental impact statement

answer

Required studies of likely environmental impacts, filed w. the Environmental Protection Agency prior to the beginning of a project

question

Equal Protection Clause

answer

Constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally-14th amendment

question

Establishment Clause

answer

Prohibits the establishment of a national religion-1st amendment

question

Exclusionary rule

answer

Rule that evidence acquired as a result of an illegal act by police cannot be used agains the person form whom it was seized

question

Executive agreement

answer

Agreement w/ another head of state not requiring approval form teh Senate

question

Executive order

answer

The president directs an agency to carry out policies/existing laws (informal power)

question

Executive privilege

answer

The right of the president to withhold info from Congress/ refuse to testify; limited by U.S. v. Nixon

question

Ex post facto law

answer

Laws applied to acts committed before passage of the laws are unconstitutional

question

Extradition

answer

States may return fugitives to a state from which they fled to avoid criminal prosecution at the request of the state's gov

question

Federal budget

answer

Amount of money the federal govt expects to receive &authorizes govt to spend for a fiscal (12 mo.) year

question

Federalism

answer

Powers that are shared and divided among federal and sub-divisional government (state/local)

question

Federalist Papers

answer

Written by Hamilton, Jay, & Madison to support ratification of the U.S. Constituiton

question

Federalists

answer

Supported a strong central govt &expanded legislative powers

question

Federal system

answer

Power is divided between the states &the fed. govt

question

Filibuster

answer

A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate

question

Fiscal federalism

answer

National govt's use of fiscal policy to influence states through the granting/withholding of appropriations

question

Fiscal policy

answer

The policies of taxation that comprise the nation's economic policy

question

Fiscal year

answer

A 12-month pd, October through Septmeber, for planning the federal budget

question

Floor leaders

answer

Direct party strategy &decisions in the House of Representatives &Senate

question

Franking privilege

answer

Privilege that allows member sof Congress to mail letters &other materials to constituents postage-free

question

Free Exercise Clause

answer

Congress may not make laws restricting/ prohibiting a person's relgious practices-1st amendment

question

Freedom of expression

answer

Freedom of speech/right to petition the govt for redress as 1st amendment right

question

Front-loading

answer

Choosing an early date to hold the primary election

question

Full Faith Clause

answer

States are required to recognize the laws documents of other states-Article 4 for Federalism!

question

Gatekeepers

answer

Media executives, news editors, reporters who decide what news to present it will be presented

question

General election

answer

Voters choose officeholder form among all the candidates nominated by pol. parties/running as independents

question

Gerrymandering

answer

Drawing of congressional districts to favor one pol. party/group over another

question

Get-out-the-vote

answer

A compaign near the end of an election to get voters out to the polls

question

Government

answer

The formal institutions, people, used to create pulbic policy

question

Grants-in-aid

answer

Programs, money, provided by the fed. govt to state govts to be used for specific projects

question

Grassroots

answer

Avg voter at the local level

question

Gridlock

answer

When opposing parites often block each other's proposals, creating a pol. stalemate/inaction btwn the esecutive &legislative branches of govt

question

Hatch Act

answer

Prohibits govt employees from engaging in pol. activities whle on duty/running for office/seeking poli. funding while off duty; if in sensitive positions, may not be involved w/ pol. activities on/off duty

question

Hyperpluarlism

answer

Democracy seen as a system of many groups pulling govt in many directinos at the same time, causing gridlock ineffectiveness

question

Ideology

answer

A consistent set of beliefs by groups/individuals

question

Impeachment

answer

Bringing charges of wrongdoing against a govt official by the House of Representatives

question

Implied powers

answer

Not expressed, but may be considerered through the use of the Necessary and Proper (elastic) Clause

question

Impoundment

answer

Refusal of the president to spend money Congress has appropriated

question

Incorporation

answer

Application of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under Amend. XIV

question

Incorporation doctrine

answer

The Supreme Court ruling that most guarantees in teh Bill of Rights are applicatable to the states through Amend. XIV

question

Incrementalism

answer

Small changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget-making--that th ebest indicator of this year's budget is last year's budget plus a small increase

question

Incumbency effect

answer

Tendency of those alrady holding office to win reelection due to advgs b/c they already hold the office

question

Incumbent

answer

The person currently holding office

question

Inherent powers

answer

Powers that exist for the national govt b/c the govt is sovereign

question

Initiative

answer

Allows voters to petition to propose legislation &then submit it for a vote by qualified voters

question

Interest group

answer

A group of private citizens whose goal is to influence &shape public policy

question

Interstate compacts

answer

Agreements btwn states to work together on common issues

question

Iron triangle

answer

Alliance- agencies, interest groups, &congressional committees/subcommittees (also known as sub-governments)

question

Issue network

answer

Individuals in WA--located w/n interest groups, congressional staff, think tanks, universities, &the media--who regulary discuss &advocate public policies

question

Joint committee

answer

Committee made up of members of both house of Congress-housekeeping issues decided

question

Judicial activism

answer

The Court should play an active role in determining national policies

question

Judicial restraint

answer

Holds that the Court should avoid taking the initiative on social &pol. questions, operation strictly w/n the limits of the Constitution

question

Judicial review

answer

Authority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive/state/legislature; est. in Marbury v. Madison

question

Jurisdiciton

answer

The authority of the courts to hear &decide issues in certain cases

question

Legislative courts

answer

Courts created by Congress for a specialized purpose w/ a narrow range of authority

question

Legislative veto

answer

To reject the actions of the president/executive agency by a vote of one/both house of Congress w/o the consent of th epresident; ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Immigration &Naturalization Service v. Chadha

question

Lemon test

answer

Lemon v. Kurtzman to measure the constituionality of state laws in regard to establishment clause (3 pronged test)

question

Liberal

answer

A person whose views favor more govt involvemnt in business, social welfare, minority rights, &increased govt spending

question

Limited govt

answer

Basic prinicple of U.S. govt that each person has rights that govt cannot take away

question

Line item veto

answer

The president can reject a par tof a bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional

question

Lobbying

answer

Attempting to influence policymakers though a variety of methods

question

Lobbyist

answer

Uses pol. persuasion to influence legislation &benefit his/her org.

question

Logrolling

answer

The exchange of pol. favors for support of a bill

question

Loose constructionist

answer

broad interpretation of the Constitution

question

Maintaining elections

answer

Traditional majorty power maintains power based on voters' party loyalty

question

Majority leader

answer

The elected leader of the party with the most seat in the House of Representatives/Senate

question

Majority-minority districts

answer

Drawing district boundaries to give a minority group a majority

question

Majority opinion

answer

The majority of justices agree on the decision reasons for th edecision

question

Mandates

answer

Requirements imposed by the national govt on state govts to comply w/ fed. rules

question

Mandatory spending

answer

Required govt spending by permanent laws

question

Marbury v. Madison

answer

Judicial review!

question

Markup

answer

Rewrite of a bill after hearings have been held on it (happens in sub-committee)

question

Mass media

answer

All forms of communication that reach a large portion of the public

question

McCulloch v. Maryland

answer

Supreme Court decision upholding the supremacy of the national government over the states/implied powers clause also strenthened-national bank established because this supported power to tax

question

Media event

answer

A speech or photo opporutnity staged to give a politician's view on an issue

question

Miranda v. Arizona

answer

Right to be told what you are being held for.

question

Moderate

answer

Person whose views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies

question

Monetary policy

answer

controlling the money supply-Federal Reserve (independent agency)

question

Motor voter law

answer

register to vote when you update your license (1993)

question

National chairman

answer

Appointed by the DNC or the RNC as head of the party

question

National debt

answer

Amount of money owed by the government

question

Natural rights

answer

Basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights that a government cannot deny-Locke-life, liberty, property

question

Necessary and Proper Clause

answer

Gives Congress the powers to pass all laws necessary to carry out their constitutional duties; "elastic" clause (Art. I, Sec 8, clause 18)

question

New Deal coalition

answer

Alliance of southern conservatives, religious, and ethnic minorities who supported the Democratic Party for 40 years

question

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

answer

Created to allow the free movement of goods between Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. by lessening and eliminating tariffs

question

Off-year election

answer

An election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election-common for sitting president's party to lose seats in Congress

question

Open primary

answer

registered voters can vote in either primary-do not have to register with any party.

question

Opinion leaders

answer

Those individuals held in great respect becasue of their position, expertise, or peronsality, who may informally and unintentionally influence others

question

Orignial jurisdiction

answer

Court hears and decides a case for the first time

question

Oversight

answer

Congress monitors policies of the executive branch (money, hearings, investigations)-checks and balances

question

Pardon

answer

A convicted person is exempt form the penalities of a crime

question

Plessy v. Ferguson

answer

The Supreme Court case that upheld separate-but-equal segregation in 1896

question

Pluralist theory

answer

interest groups compete in the political arena with each promoting its own policy preferences through organized efforts-everyone gets a piece of the pie-a marketplace of ideas, compromise happens-positive view

question

Policy adoption

answer

The approval of a policy by legislation

question

Policy evalution

answer

Determines if a policy is achieving its goals

question

Policy formulation

answer

The crafting of a policy to resolve public problems

question

Policy implementation

answer

Carrying out a policy through government agencies and courts

question

Political action committee

answer

Extention of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns-financial arm of the interest group

question

Political agenda

answer

Issues that merit action, as determined by the public or those in power

question

Political culture

answer

A set of basic values and beliefs about one's country or government that is shared by most citizens and that influences political opinions and behaviors

question

Political efficacy

answer

Belief that a person can influence politics and public policymaking-vote makes a difference

question

Politcal ideology

answer

A consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy taht sets the framework for evaluation government and public policy

question

Political party

answer

Voluntary association of people who seek to control the government through common principles, based on peaceful and legal actions such as the winning of elections

question

Political socialization

answer

Complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values (family, school, media, religion, national events-all help to socialize)

question

Politics

answer

Method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government (who gets what, when, and how)

question

Popular sovereignty

answer

people are the source of all govermental power

question

Pork barrel legislation

answer

Legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary of unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a memeber's chance of reelection

question

Precedents

answer

Standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes

question

Presidential preference primaries

answer

Voters select delegates to the presidential nominating convention

question

President pro tempore

answer

Serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the VP; chosen by the majority party

question

Primary election

answer

Nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election

question

Prior restraint

answer

Censorship of information before it is published or broadcast (unconstitutional in most cases)

question

Privileges and immunities

answer

States are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other states (article 4)

question

Procedual due process

answer

Method of government action, or how th elaw is carried out according to the established rules and procedures

question

Public opinion

answer

A colleciton of shared attitudes of citizens about government, politics, and the making of public policy

question

Public policy

answer

The exercise of government power in doing those htings necessary to maintain legitmate authority and ocntrol over society

question

Pure speech

answer

Verbal communication of ideas and opinions

question

Radical

answer

Ideological view that favors rapid funamental change in teh existing social, economic, or political order

question

Ratification

answer

Method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law

question

Reactionary

answer

Ideological view that favors a return to a previous state of affairs

question

Realignment

answer

A shift of voting patterns to form new coaltions of party support

question

Reapportionament

answer

Redistribution of the congressional seats among the states after the census determines changes in population distribution

question

Recall

answer

Special election initiated by petition to allow citizens to remove an official from office before his or her term expires

question

Referendum

answer

Procedure whereby the state submits legislation to its voters for approval, allowing citizens to vote directly on issues

question

Representative democracy

answer

Citizens choose officals (representatives) who make decisions about public policy

question

Reserved powers

answer

Powers belonging specifically to the states and the people because they were not delegated to teh national government nor denied to the states

question

Revenue sharing

answer

Giving money back to the state and local government with no strings attached

question

Rider

answer

An addition of amendment added to a bill that often has no realtion to the bill but that may not pass onits own merits (senate only)

question

Rule of four

answer

Requirement that a case can only be heard by the Supreme Court if four justices vote to hear the case

question

Rules committee

answer

Determines the rules of debate for bills in the House of Representatives-also known as the calender committee

question

Runoff primary

answer

When no candidate receives a majority of votes, an election held betweent eh two candidates who received the most votes in the primary

question

Sampling

answer

Using a represenative cross-seciton of the general population chosen at random in the polling process

question

Sampling errors

answer

Percentage of possible erros in teh polling process

question

Select committee

answer

Committee selected for a specific purpose-investigation-hearing

question

Self-incrimination

answer

Accusing oneself or giving evidence that may prove oneself guilty

question

Senatorial courtesy

answer

The practice of allowing senators form teh president's party who represent the state where a judicial district is located, to apporve or diapprove potential nominees for the lower federal courts ONLY

question

Seniortiy system

answer

System in which the chairmanship of a committee is given tot eh member with the longest continuous service

question

Separation of powers

answer

Practice by which power is separated among three branches of government; each branch has its own powers and duties and is independent of and equal to the other branches

question

Single-member districts

answer

Only one representative is chosen from each district

question

Social contract theory

answer

A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed

question

Social insurance programs

answer

Programs to help the elderly, ill, and unemployed if the claimant has paid into them

question

Social welfare policy

answer

Government program to enhance quality of life

question

Soft money

answer

Money distributed form a national political party organization that wasn ot regulated by law; restricted by the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002

question

Sound bite

answer

A brief statement on TV or radio

question

Speaker of the House

answer

Leading officer in the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party

question

Speech plus

answer

Verbal and symbolic speech used together

question

Split-ticket voting

answer

Voting for candidates form more than one party in the same election

question

Standing committee

answer

Permanent committees in the House/Senate-every represetative and every senator is appointed to 2 or 3.

question

Stare decisis

answer

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases

question

Straight-ticket voting

answer

Voting for candidates all of the same party on the same ballot-creates the coattail effect

question

Straw poll

answer

Early form of polling that asks the same question of a large number of people

question

Strict constuctionist

answer

Narrow interpretation of the Constitution

question

Substantive due process

answer

the law itself is fair or unfair-not the procedures-but the law

question

Suffrage

answer

The right to vote

question

Superdelegates

answer

Party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses

question

Super Tuesday

answer

Day when several states hold their presidential primaries (usually the second Tuesday in March)

question

Supremacy CLause

answer

Ntional law supersedes all other laws passed by states (Art VI)

question

Symbolic speech

answer

Using actions and symbols rather than words to convey an idea

question

Three-Fifths Compromise

answer

Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment)

question

Traditional democratic theory

answer

Government depends upon the consent of the governed

question

Trial balloon

answer

Tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gaugin public reaction

question

Trustee

answer

After listening to constiutents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions

question

Two-party system

answer

Several political parties exist, but only two major political parties compete for power and dominate elections

question

Unfunded mandates

answer

Federal government requires the states to enforce legislation without the funding necessary

question

Virginia Plan

answer

Madison's plan for a bicameral legislature, whith the executive and judiciary chosen by the legislature

question

War Powers Act

answer

Limits the ability of the president to commit troops to combat-48 hours to tell Congress when and why the troops were sent, they have 60-90 to bring them home if they disagree

question

Watergate

answer

Break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate building in 1972 that resulted in a cover-up and the subsequent resignation of Nixon

question

Writ of certiorari

answer

Order by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send up the records of a case for review

question

Writ of habeas corpus

answer

right to be told what you are being held for and shown evidence against you-used in death penalty case appeals.

question

red tape

answer

complex rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done (agencies-bureaucracy)

question

Trustee/Delegate-roles Congressman play

answer

trustee--do what is best regardless of voter opinion; delegate--do what the voters want

question

pocket veto

answer

DIES-sits on desk-10 days go past-Congress adjourns within the 10 days.

question

OMB (Office of Management and Budget)

answer

1921) to prepare estimates of how much will be spent by federal agencies, to negotiate and to make that legislative proposals of these other departments jive with the president's program.

question

Speaker of the House

answer

decides who willbe recognized to speak- rules whether motions are relevant to the business at hand; decides which bills where the bills will go (committees)-influencial as to what bills are brought up for a vote-appoints members to special and select committees

question

Whips

answer

assistant to the floor leaders, keeps a head count of votes, rounds up members for important votes

question

Congressional caucuses

answer

association of members created to support a political ideology or regional economic interest (black caucus, women's caucus...)

question

General Accounting Office (GAO)

answer

performs routine financial audits of money spent by the executive departments and investigates agencies

question

malapportionment

answer

unfair proportional distribution of representatives to a legislative body

question

majority/minority districts

answer

those with a majority of residents who are part of an ethnic minority

question

soft money

answer

political parties solicit unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, spend on voter registration campaigns and get-out the-vote drives and "not on behalf of specific candidates"

question

Civil Service

answer

hiring government employees on the basis of merit. Also refers to government employees outside the military.

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Circuit Courts

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Part of federal court system-13 federal circuit courts: one for the D.C. and 12 for the rest of the country. Also called "courts of appeal"

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Council of Economic Advisors

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established by Employment Act of 1946- advise the President on economic policy- 3 members, appointed by President and approved by Senate,

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EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

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INDEPENDENT agency created in 1964-works to eliminate employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, age or other criteria unrelated to job performance.

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EOP (Executive office of the President)

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name for the group of agencies, councils, and staff members which advise the president and help run the federal bureaucracy-was established by an executive order from FDR

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Grand Jury (5th amendment)

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ranges in size from 6 to 23, depending on the state, and functions to determine whether there is enough evidence available against a person accused of a crime to justify a trial.

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Gubernatorial

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pertaining to a governor

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Joint Chiefs of Staff

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high-ranking military officers who represent the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines. They assist the civilian leaders of the Department of Defense-advise the president on security matters.

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Lame Duck

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person holding office after his or her replacement has been elected to the office, but before the current term has ended.

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PAC (Political Action Committee)

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an independent organization established by interest groups, political candidates, and people who hold office. PACs serve to raise and contribute money to the political campaigns of individuals whose platforms agree with the aims of the PAC.

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indictment

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Written statement of criminal charges brought against a defendant

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Shield law

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Law guaranteeing news reporters the right to protect the annonymity of their sources. States have passed this--not the federal government.

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